N7089B – PIPER PA-18A-150 – 2014-09-06 NTSB Accident Report

On September 06, 2014, a Piper PA-18A-150 (N7089B) was involved in an incident near Gunthersville, AL. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to retract the landing gear wheels prior to a water landing, resulting in a nose over upon touchdown.

According to the pilot, he was performing both water and pavement touch-and-go landings in his amphibious airplane. On final approach for a water landing, he observed a jet ski come out of a slew area and his attention was drawn to it. Upon landing, "I found myself inverted." Federal Aviation Administration inspectors responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. The landing gear and the cockpit-mounted landing gear switch were found in the down (extended) positions. A cockpit placard was installed, that stated, "DO NOT LAND ON WATER UNLESS GEAR IS FULLY RETRACTED." The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

This incident is documented in NTSB report ERA14CA431. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N7089B.